Mansfield family goes solar

Christine “Chris” and Brian Horn of Mansfield could be considered pioneers as they are one of the first families in the town to use solar energy to provide energy to run their home.

Heather Harris

Christine “Chris” and Brian Horn of Mansfield could be considered pioneers as they are one of the first families in the town to use solar energy to provide energy to run their home.

After years of research, the Horns decided to put solar energy panels on top of their house at 1 Cushing Ln. They placed 51 panels on top of their house to help generate enough electricity to support their 2,200 square foot raised ranch.

“I’m the crunchy one in the family and have been wanting solar panels for awhile,” Chris said.

Her main motivator for the panels was environmental.

“By using solar we’re not using coal and helping to decrease our carbon footprint,” Chris said.

Brian on the other hand saw the potential savings.

“You think its not going to save money and it’s a bunch of mumbo jumbo but it really does save,” Chris said.

The Horns purchased their panels from the company Second Generation Energy out of Hopedale, Mass.

Tara Mason of Second Generation helped the Horns with the entire procedure, from the initial research to the final installation.

“The first part of the process is to make sure you have a site for solar. You can’t just put it anywhere,” Mason said.

Once it has been determined if the location will provide enough sunlight, the next step is figuring out the client’s energy needs by looking at past electric bills.

Clients then have the task of figuring out how to finance the project.

The Horns opted to pay for their panels outright at a $60,000 price tag. There are leasing options as well, but the Horns are confident they will make their money back over the next six years.

Massachusetts is one of the top states in the country as far as incentives go for renewable energy, according to Mason.

“There are many financial options out there that are making it more favorable,” Mason said. “People can pay for it without having any capital. Massachusetts is one of the top states for financial incentives so we’re seeing more people get on board.”

The easiest way to earn back the money is through the sale of renewable energy certificates (RECs). In this case, Solar RECs or SRECs.

“In a nutshell any energy generated by a renewable energy source has a value in Massachusetts, there is a market for it,” Mason said.

So for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours the Horns produce, they can sell one SREC. Over time this is will help them get their money back, Brian said.

“Utilities buy them mainly, they are required to buy a certain amount,” Mason said.

As far as the town goes, there is a slight financial incentive, said Gary Babin Mansfield Electric Department Director.

“For some people the motivation is partially financial but also environmental,” Babin said.

Using what’s called net-metering, a customer can team up with the town and use electricity they get from the solar panels to displace electricity they get from the town.

Babin said that in the case of the Horns, the energy created from the solar panels is what he calls “real-time.”

“They generate electricity on a real-time basis, if they generate more than they use we give them a credit,” Babin said. That credit is applied to a customer’s monthly bill.

He explained if the Horns generate 300 kilowatt hours in a month but only use 200 kilowatt hours in a month, they would be credited the difference.

“Solar energy is a good thing for renewable energy,” Babin said. “We support customers doing it.”

In Mansfield there is one other resident using solar energy as well as a commercial and industrial facility, Babin said.

As far as the Horns go, they are happy with their purchase and for those concerned with how the panels will look on their home, Chris Horn said they aren’t an eyesore.

“We were very surprised its almost seamless looking,” Chris Horn said. “It looks like a metal roof.”

Overall they see their solar adventure as a win-win. During the day Chris said the meter actually goes backwards and she can literally see the savings.

“We no longer pay an electric bill,” Chris said. “Within six years we will be energy free.”